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What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys
BMW cars are costly, and they come with sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them difficult to steal, but complicates issues when you lose your keys.
The first thing you should do in the event that you lose your BMW key is call the dealership. But this might not be the most convenient solution. You might be thinking about a locksmith.
1. Call the Dealership
It's been a long, tiring day. You're eager to go home and unwind in your comfy sweats. Take a bite of pizza and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You'll need to return the keys to your car and you've not seen them all day.
Luckily, you have a variety of options when it comes to getting your BMW key replacement. The first option is visiting the dealership. You'll be asked to show proof of ownership as well as an ID valid. If you have any other keys, they'll also require them. The dealership will then request the correct key for your car and pair it with the chip in your car's computer. The process can take between two and three weeks and cost you $200 if you don't have an extra key.
A locksmith can be a good option. Locksmiths are able to cut BMW keys for less than what a dealership charges. In addition to cutting the blank, locksmiths can also program it into your vehicle. This could save you a significant amount of time and money, however, you'll need to be sure to choose a reputable, professional locksmith.
If you have a spare key, you could try to use it to unlock your car. If you don't have one, you'll have to get your car towed to the dealership to replace the key fob that was lost. This can be a costly, inconvenient and expensive method of getting back on the road unless you have a roadside emergency plan such as Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO.
Online sellers can be a cheaper alternative to going to dealers. This is a less expensive alternative, but you'll have to get it programmed to your specific car by a dealer or locksmith that can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you decide to buy a blank online, be sure to check the reputation of the seller as well as customer reviews.
2. Contact a Locksmith
While the BMW key and fob might appear to be a minor thing to lose, they are in fact sophisticated pieces of technology designed to improve security. BMW keys are equipped with transponder chips which transmit a unique electronic ID to the car when they are inserted in the ignition. They are programmed to keep personal settings like seat and mirror positions, radio presets and many more. This level of sophistication makes the keys extremely secure and difficult to steal. However, it makes them more difficult to replace if they're damaged or lost.
As such, it is important to be prepared for this type of situation by keeping keys in a secure location and having a dependable locksmith on your phone and knowing the fundamental cost of the replacement key. It is essential to determine the kind of key or fob in your car, as replacing them will be different in accordance with the distinctive design.
If you have an old double-edged key with a keyfob, you can typically find a replacement at an area hardware store for less than $10. However, if you own an advanced key fob that requires specific programming process, then you'll need to go to a locksmith or a dealership to make sure the new fob is correctly configured to your vehicle.
Before the new key can be made, the locksmith or dealership will be required to verify your identity and ownership of the vehicle in order to protect against fraud and unauthorised key duplication. This will typically require an original copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration or title.
It is important to know that the process of obtaining the new key and fob might take as long as two weeks, during which time you won't be able to drive your vehicle. It is therefore recommended to purchase a key protection policy which will cover the cost of replacing keys that are lost as well as reimburse you for rental cars in the case of a loss.
3. Cut a Key Blank
It's been a tiring day and you're eager to go back home, put on some comfortable sweatpants, eat some pizza, and on your favorite show. But then you realize you've lost your car keys. This is the worst feeling you can ever experience, and it can really ruin your plans for the evening.
There are ways to avoid the hassle and ensure you always have spare keys in your possession. You can get an uncut, new key made. This can be done by the dealership or a locksmith. The procedure is relatively simple and requires a couple of tools.
You'll first need to find the keyhole on your BMW. It's under the trim panel on the bottom of your door handle. You can remove the trim once you've found the keyhole.
Next, you'll need to fix the original and a blank together using a vice. Then, use a file to shape the blank into a similar shape to the original. Make sure you file slowly and cautiously in order not to scrape the original key. Once the blank is shaped, you can hold it over a flame to darken it with soot. This will in revealing the transfer marks made by the lock.
4. Get a replacement
You'll also need to replace the smart key in case your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). These keys emit a unique electronic code that can unlock your car's doors and also start the engine. This is an excellent protection against theft to protect your vehicle. Smart keys are susceptible to being lost, but they're not the perfect solution. The dealer will need order a new key, which can be costly. The dealer could take up to a week to process and deliver a new key. This can increase the cost.
The good news is that it's not impossible to find an alternative for a BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs and receive them at your home. They are generally less expensive than buying from a dealer and will reduce the need to drive to the dealer for an additional key. If you're looking to avoid confusion, make sure you have your VIN in hand and proof of ownership when purchasing the new key.
Online BMW key fobs also come with an inbuilt battery. This is important as the battery inside a regular keyfob will eventually degrade and will require replacement. If the battery is having issues, the fob will likely stop working entirely, which could be dangerous while traveling. Fortunately, you can find a replacement for your BMW's key fob directly from the manufacturer without much hassle provided you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go.
The loss of keys is a constant problem but losing a BMW loss can be incredibly stressful. It is important to know what options you have when replacing a lost BMW Key to ensure that you can pick the best option for your situation. In try these guys out , you should try to be extra cautious with your keys to your car so that you don't lose them in the first place! If you do, make sure to keep an eye on your pockets as well as your car and places you don't typically keep them in.